Armed forces bracing for a ‘hot summer’, says Antony

MUMBAI - Defence Minister A.K. Antony said here Thursday that in view of increased cross-border infiltration, the Indian armed forces were bracing for a “hot summer” this year.

“We are expecting that this summer we shall see enhanced activity from forces inimical to us from across the borders. We are ready for the challenge,” Antony said, speaking to mediapersons after the launch of India’s third missile destroyer INS Chennai here.

Antony said the government felt the need to modernise all the three wings of the country’s armed forces and was prepared to quicken the process to secure them with the latest equipment and weapons keeping pace with the technological advancements.

He said the November 26, 2008, Mumbai terror attacks have proved that the country’s 7,500-km long coastline was not secure. The threat perceptions, until now confined only to the land borders, were emanating even from the sea routes.

Antony stressed the need to initiate measures on “a war footing” to provide adequate security to the vast coastline which was significant for the country even economically as 95 percent of international trade is carried out through the sea.

India’s third missile destroyer INS Chennai being built at the Mazagaon Dock Limited for the Indian Navy, was launched at a function here Thursday afternoon.

The ship, fitted with the indigenously designed BrahMos surface-to-surface missiles system - part of the Project-15 Alpha class - was launched by Elizabeth Antony, wife of the defence minister.

Addressing the gathering, Antony said the launch of INS Chennai marks “a major revolution in technology” and it was heartening to note that the MDL has taken the lead in harnessing cutting edge technology in fortifying the maritime capabilities of India.

When commissioned into the Indian Navy by 2013, ‘Chennai’ will be the most potent vessel with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors along with its predecessors ‘Kolkata’ and ‘Kochi’, Antony observed.

Indigenously designed, the 163 metres long ‘Chennai’ is propelled by four gas turbines and designed to achieve speeds of over 30 knots an hour.

The BrahMos missles system enables the ship to engage shore-based and naval surface targets at long ranges, making it a lethal platform for strike against enemy targets.

The ship’s air defence capability, designed to counter the threat of enemy aircraft and anti-ship cruise missiles will revolve around the vertical launch, long range surface to air missile system which is being co-developed by DRDO.

Besides this, four AK-630 rapid-fire guns will provide ‘Chennai’ with close-in-defence capability while an MR gun will enable her to provide effective naval gunfire support.

Indigenously developed twin-tube launchers and anti-submarine rocket launchers will add punch to the ship’s capability. Indeed, these ships integrate many new features and involve design changes that ensure a far more advanced weapons platform compared to the earlier Project-15 ships.

Besides the weapons and sensors, INS Chennai will incorporate stealth features, an advanced action information system, a comprehensive auxiliary control system, world class modular living spaces, sophisticated power distribution system and many other advanced features.